tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7816989Sun, 12 Jul 2015 09:55:18 +0000Free Burmaexcuse the mess...that was just my headhttp://shayera.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (shayera)Blogger1994125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7816989.post-9144976429972092597Tue, 30 Jun 2015 03:58:00 +00002015-06-29T20:58:46.792-07:00No one is surprised.<a href="http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/justice-department-faults-ferguson-protest-response/article_32d55f9f-0bf4-51e4-93d6-71b873cb8038.html">Justice Department faults Ferguson protest response</a><br /><br />I could go on about rampant police abuses. But I don't need to. Read the article. http://shayera.blogspot.com/2015/06/no-one-is-surprised.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (shayera)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7816989.post-8042902452161813407Sat, 27 Jun 2015 15:58:00 +00002015-06-27T10:28:12.613-07:00The Most Badass Woman in America Today<a href="http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2015/06/27/3674793/confederate-flag-removed-from-south-carolina-statehouse-momentarily-by-activist/">Sick Of Waiting, Woman Takes Down South Carolina Confederate Flag Herself</a><br /><br />Way to go, Bree Newsome! <br />I'll post information about a defense fund once I find it. <br /><br />edit: Here's the indiegogo link: <a href="https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/bail-for-bree-newsome#/story">Bail for Bree Newsome</a>http://shayera.blogspot.com/2015/06/the-most-badass-woman-in-america-today.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (shayera)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7816989.post-6153622476118990680Tue, 26 May 2015 06:01:00 +00002015-05-25T23:01:34.709-07:00New cover, fabulous book<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zPOAjQ3LE0g/VWQLghc_YzI/AAAAAAAAAmk/3h2pyJk9zFE/s1600/Slave%2Bto%2BSensation_Nalini%2BSingh_m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zPOAjQ3LE0g/VWQLghc_YzI/AAAAAAAAAmk/3h2pyJk9zFE/s320/Slave%2Bto%2BSensation_Nalini%2BSingh_m.jpg" /></a></div><br />One of my very favorite books by one of my favorite authors is getting a new cover. If you're interested in trying out a fantastic, fun, and wonderful book, you should try it out. <br />Check out <a href="http://nalinisingh.com/">Nalini's</a> website for more info on her books. http://shayera.blogspot.com/2015/05/new-cover-fabulous-book.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (shayera)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7816989.post-833196688321649282Wed, 04 Mar 2015 08:01:00 +00002015-03-04T00:01:12.826-08:00Excellent voting news in L.A.<a href="http://abc7.com/politics/amendments-1-2-approved;-election-cycles-to-be-held-in-even-numbered-years/543316/">AMENDMENTS 1, 2 APPROVED; ELECTION CYCLES TO BE HELD IN EVEN-NUMBERED YEARS</a><br /><br />This is excellent news. These off year elections generally have terrible turnout. This move should definitely help.http://shayera.blogspot.com/2015/03/excellent-voting-news-in-la.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (shayera)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7816989.post-3038534474886061764Sun, 23 Nov 2014 22:06:00 +00002014-11-23T14:06:04.865-08:00Racism isn't getting better in this countryYou know I'm not lying. Things in this country are as bad if not worse than they've ever been.<br />And you know it's true.<br /><br />I've been pretty lucky in my life in this country. Growing up, I have to say, I don't remember too many overtly racist incidents directed my way. I remember when my Girl Scout troop disbanded, to find out later that the troop leader really did not want a "brown girl" in her troop. And I know that's not the Girl Scout way. There were other things during my growing up years. Now and then my mother reminds me of things that happened that I'd forgotten. Let's say nothing that I've allowed to define my life. I know many people who've had it much worse than me. <br /><br />A self indulgent way of saying I've had it pretty good? Almost definitely.<br /><br />But in the last few years I've seen things getting worse. Casual remarks by people thinking they could get away with it. Petty things they expect on one to notice.<br /><br />And in the last two weeks I've been the receiver.<br />I have to talk about them here so they won't run around my head like rabid weasels. <br /><br />Two weeks ago, I was crossing the parking lot, to go into the grocery store. Not really paying attention to who was coming or going. After all, it was the middle of the day. I saw a man walking toward me but he didn't impinge on my conscious. Until a wad of spit landed about an inch from my shoe. And then I actively heard what was coming out of his mouth: "You whore." "Bitch." "Go back to where you came from." "Animal whore." It went on. <br />Hard things to hear. <br />Even harder not to react. <br />What am I supposed to do? Believe me, it's very hard to realize you have to go back to work and work the entire rest of the day, thinking about it. <br />Which is what I did. I walked around his spit without flinching. Didn't give him the satisfaction of seeing me cringe away from the words and walked into the grocery store, did my shopping, and went back to work. <br />I tweeted about it when I got back to work. Had a pretty lively discussion on Facebook. <br />And have tried to put it away.<br /><br />Yesterday, something else. <br />I should give some back story.<br />LAUSD send out magnet school applications for middle schoolers in mid-September. The applications have to be turned in by mid-November. We get the applications sent to us at the library. Usually English and Spanish. And the English ones go quickly. <br />People usually grab the Spanish ones towards the end. Or apply from the LAUSD website.<br /><br />Yesterday morning, within five minutes of opening, a woman came to the desk with one of the Spanish language applications in her hand. She smacked it down on the desk and said, "I only speak English, as is proper for an American, why can't I have an English application in this Englsh speaking community?<br />I kid you not. <br />It got worse. <br />"Why can't you dumb brown people give me what I want?"<br />"You're too stupid to understand how important this is." <br />Really, lady? I am smart enough to know that 14 Novembre 2014 in Spanish is November 14, 2014 in English. And the application due date. Whic h you missed. <br />More from angry lady. "Damn brown people coming illegally to this country and taking all the jobs. None of you following the law. And all of you getting ahead."<br />It was like watching a live version of Fox News. <br />"This is an English speaking community, you shouldn't have any of these other languages."<br />It is, in fact, not. <br />It's probably a good thing she didn't notice the voter registration forms in Chinese, Vietnamese, Hindi, and Spanish. I shudder to think what that would have brought on. <br />I told her to leave. Politely, but definitely with tone. Because the branch was full of "brown" people. People like me. And small children. <br />And I don't have to put up with it. <br /><br />So no, it's not getting better. <br /><br />http://shayera.blogspot.com/2014/11/racism-isnt-getting-better-in-this.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (shayera)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7816989.post-790888683663326597Sat, 11 Oct 2014 18:38:00 +00002014-10-11T11:41:17.354-07:00This has to stop<a href="http://www.sibylmoon.com/time-to-leave-gamergate/">The “good name” of GamerGate</a><br /><br />It's literally dangerous to be a woman and be on the internet. <br /><br /><a href="http://wehuntedthemammoth.com/2014/10/11/yet-another-woman-in-gaming-has-been-driven-from-her-home-by-death-threats/">Yet another woman in gaming has been driven from her home by death threats</a>http://shayera.blogspot.com/2014/10/this-has-to-stop.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (shayera)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7816989.post-3901227752239447492Sat, 04 Oct 2014 03:46:00 +00002014-10-03T20:46:54.312-07:00Music for the liberal beast<a href="https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/netroots-music-project-unity-concert">Netroots Music Project & Unity Concert</a><br /><br />Music has always been a part of the liberal movement. Give a couple bucks if you're so inclined. http://shayera.blogspot.com/2014/10/music-for-liberal-beast.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (shayera)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7816989.post-894430022136482293Tue, 30 Sep 2014 04:00:00 +00002014-09-29T21:00:34.959-07:00Koch Follies<a href="http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/koch-industries-responds-to-rolling-stone-and-we-answer-back-20140929"> Koch Industries Responds to Rolling Stone – And We Answer Back</a><br /><br />They really don't like being questioned. http://shayera.blogspot.com/2014/09/koch-follies.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (shayera)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7816989.post-3089838853723774186Mon, 29 Sep 2014 03:03:00 +00002014-09-28T20:04:12.435-07:00Publishing stupidity<a href="http://dearauthor.com/misc/elloras-cave-sues-dear-author/">Ellora’s Cave Sues Dear Author</a><br /><br />I stand with Jane. http://shayera.blogspot.com/2014/09/elloras-cave-sues-dear-author-i-stand.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (shayera)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7816989.post-3453913624245056320Thu, 12 Jun 2014 20:30:00 +00002014-06-12T13:31:34.980-07:00Billionaires Win Another One. Previously I wrote about the billionaire’s funding an attack on teachers. <br /><br />Unfortunately the decision came down on the side of the billionaires, potentially eliminating due process and other rights for teachers.<br /><br />I first want to state that the overwhelming amount of education research is on the side of teachers. When you support teachers schools do better. Period.<br /><br />But I want to focus more on how chilling this decision is. <br /><br />As a union member I know that I have rights in the workplace. For a court to say that the rights to due process, seniority and other protects is unconstitutional, should really worry us all. <br /><br />The right to collectively bargain for fair wages and working conditions is a fundamental right. It’s something we recognize as basic and support not just here at home, but abroad as well. <br /><br />Working conditions matter to the lives of employees. Better working conditions attract better employees and make them better equipped to produce good work. Working conditions look different for each job. For educators it includes basic due process, tenure and seniority. <br /><br />Teachers shouldn’t have to worry that a complaint from a homophobic or racist parent might lead to their dismissal, so due process is important.<br /><br />Teachers shouldn’t have to worry that after the summer they aren’t being brought back to teach, that’s what tenure ensures.<br /><br />Teachers should have to worry that their higher salary because they’ve been teaching for 10 years makes them a better target for layoffs during budget cuts, that’s why seniority matters. <br /><br />For the court to say that some of the basics of what teachers need to have fair working conditions is at odds with what students need should worry us all. Giving teachers what they need helps student, period. Making a teachers job more secure let’s them focus on helping student. <br /><br />Courts shouldn’t say what we bargain for is unconstitutional. I stand in solidarity with union members in the classroom. Keep fighting for your rights, because you know what’s best for students and schools. http://shayera.blogspot.com/2014/06/billionaires-win-another-one.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (shayera)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7816989.post-4199227835391007716Fri, 06 Jun 2014 15:43:00 +00002014-06-06T18:11:46.433-07:00It's A Girl<a href="http://www.itsagirlmovie.com/">It's A Girl Movie</a><br /><br />Last month I told you about Petals in the Dust. The link is right below this one. <br />This month I'm telling you about the documentary "It's A Girl".<br /><br />It's available online. It's important. http://shayera.blogspot.com/2014/06/its-girl.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (shayera)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7816989.post-1058994519896228402Tue, 29 Apr 2014 05:33:00 +00002014-04-28T22:33:52.430-07:00Petals in the Dust<a href="http://www.petalsinthedust.com/">Petals In The Dust</a><br /><br />There's one story about baby me that pretty much everyone who was around before I was born can tell you. And that's the story about how my mother, while she was pregnant, told everyone that her first baby had to be a girl. If the baby was a boy, he wouldn't be coming home with her. And she was serious. Which, in 1971 India, was a pretty strong, pro-daughter position to take. <br />I'm so lucky my mother was so fierce. <br />India is a dangerous place for women. Every single stage of a girl's life in India is perilous. And this is not exaggeration. http://shayera.blogspot.com/2014/04/petals-in-dust.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (shayera)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7816989.post-6826904208123032566Fri, 07 Mar 2014 06:22:00 +00002014-03-06T22:22:53.081-08:00Billionaires are bullying teachers in California. And may get away with it legally.Over at The Political Carnival, <a href="http://thepoliticalcarnival.net/2014/03/05/public-schools-vs-billionaires/">GottaLaff wrote a nice rundown</a> of Susan Moore Johnson's testimony in the Vergara trial. If you haven't been following the trial, basically a bunch of ed deformers are suing the state of California over teachers rights. <br /><br />It comes down to very big money versus teachers and teachers unions. Big billionaire's argument is that fair working conditions for teachers are bad for students. Really. That's what they're arguing. <br /><br />This needs to be emphasized more. <a href="http://crooksandliars.com/2014/02/trial-could-change-public-education">The founder of StudentsMatter</a>, the organization that brought the lawsuit, is a tech entrepreneur. He has no background in education. <br /><a href="http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2014/02/vergara-and-billionaire-attack-on.html">The billionaires funding this have actively opposed more funding for California's public schools.</a> And in fact, many of them actively supported the anti-union ballot initiative Prop 32. <br /><br />These are the same people that call teachers and their unions "special interest groups." <br /><br />I'm sorry, but teachers spend every day in the classroom. They know what they need. And the head of Harvard's education program stands with teachers, and more importantly refuted refuted StudentsMatter's argument. <br /><br />Billionaires, who don't send their children to public schools, call teachers special interest groups. Teachers aren't a special interest group, the billionaires are. <br /><br />I've never met a teacher who wasn't there for the kids. I stand with the teachers.http://shayera.blogspot.com/2014/03/billionaires-are-bullying-teachers-in.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (shayera)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7816989.post-2455551269236741423Mon, 17 Feb 2014 17:31:00 +00002014-02-17T09:31:03.294-08:00This fucking asshole. <a href="http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/george-zimmerman-victim-scapegoat-obama">George Zimmerman Calls Himself A 'Victim,' Obama's 'Scapegoat' (VIDEOS)</a><br /><br />Just reading this article blinded me with rage. This murderer is walking free, allowed to lie and whine his way through life. HE. SHOULD. BE. IN. JAIL. http://shayera.blogspot.com/2014/02/this-fucking-asshole.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (shayera)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7816989.post-5351946111417038891Wed, 01 Jan 2014 08:48:00 +00002014-01-01T00:48:22.839-08:00Happy New Year!Here's to the new year! <br />Let's hope for a good one.http://shayera.blogspot.com/2014/01/happy-new-year.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (shayera)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7816989.post-1304189362189239732Thu, 05 Dec 2013 22:01:00 +00002013-12-05T14:01:41.695-08:00Rest in Peace, Madiba. <a href="http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/champion-freedom-dead-95">Nelson Mandela dead at 95</a>http://shayera.blogspot.com/2013/12/rest-in-peace-madiba.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (shayera)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7816989.post-1071693018509492481Mon, 07 Oct 2013 19:08:00 +00002013-10-07T12:08:45.544-07:00Are you kidding me with this? <a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-care-holdouts-uninsured-resisting-obamacare-8C11338371">Health care holdouts: Uninsured but resisting</a><br /><br />Just.. I can't with people like this, I really can't. http://shayera.blogspot.com/2013/10/are-you-kidding-me-with-this.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (shayera)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7816989.post-6996444799708303811Sun, 06 Oct 2013 01:34:00 +00002013-10-05T18:34:24.368-07:00Pay them<a href="http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/10/04/20822490-secret-coded-plea-on-national-weather-service-site-please-pay-us?lite">Secret coded plea on National Weather Service site: 'PLEASE PAY US'</a><br /><br />It's really quite simple.http://shayera.blogspot.com/2013/10/pay-them.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (shayera)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7816989.post-2413649130389757192Fri, 04 Oct 2013 15:35:00 +00002013-10-04T08:35:41.364-07:00A New Day, A New, Different Lie<a href="http://www.salon.com/2013/10/03/republicans_government_shutdown_bamboozlement_is_working/#">The right’s new lie about its shutdown intentions </a><br /><br />So tired of these people. Listen, as someone who deals with actual human beings all day, every day, I can definitely tell you people are paying attention. And none of them are thanking the Republicans for this giant mess of a shutdown. http://shayera.blogspot.com/2013/10/a-new-day-new-different-lie.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (shayera)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7816989.post-168179618887016589Tue, 01 Oct 2013 03:42:00 +00002013-09-30T20:42:24.257-07:00A little truthPresident Obama was elected and re-elected with an overwhelming majority.<br /><br />1.5 million more people voted for Democratic Congressmembers than voted for Republican Congressmembers.<br /><br />The Affordable Care Act is established law. Hell, even the Supreme Court says so. 42 repeal efforts have had absolutely no impact whatsoever.<br /><br />But Republicans are going to stamp their feet, scream, and close down the government because they’re not getting their way.<br /><br />Never ever forget that this looming disaster was 100% created by Republicans.http://shayera.blogspot.com/2013/09/a-little-truth.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (shayera)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7816989.post-3090935076254443654Mon, 30 Sep 2013 17:08:00 +00002013-09-30T10:08:26.609-07:00On "trial" for being tolerant. <a href="http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/09/30/pennsylvania-church-puts-pastor-on-trial-for-officiating-sons-gay-marriage-in-massachusetts/">Pennsylvania church puts pastor on ‘trial’ for officiating son’s gay marriage in Massachusetts</a><br /><br /> Tolerance and inclusion on display. Oh wait, I mean absolutely the opposite of tolerant.http://shayera.blogspot.com/2013/09/on-trial-for-being-tolerant.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (shayera)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7816989.post-4712257786833166041Fri, 16 Aug 2013 19:31:00 +00002013-08-16T12:31:20.525-07:00Republican legislator says something racist. <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/16/bob-thorpe-tweets_n_3768471.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000003">Bob Thorpe, Arizona Legislator, Apologizes For Racially Insensitive Tweets </a><br /><br />How surprising.<br />Also, water is wet.<br />yada yada, day ending in day. http://shayera.blogspot.com/2013/08/republican-legislator-says-something.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (shayera)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7816989.post-7023359075228602783Mon, 12 Aug 2013 17:13:00 +00002013-08-12T10:13:21.531-07:00Try it.<a href="http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/gop-rep-we-have-votes-in-house-to?ref=fpb">GOP Rep: We Have The Votes In The House To Impeach Obama (VIDEO)</a><br /><br />I am so sick and tired of the disrespect shown to the President. I'd love to see what grounds they'd try to push for impeachment. And then I'll watch the House, the Senate and the White House return to or stay in Democratic hands for a very long time. http://shayera.blogspot.com/2013/08/try-it.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (shayera)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7816989.post-4459036588775849663Wed, 07 Aug 2013 14:13:00 +00002013-08-07T07:13:13.389-07:00Stephen Fry is right<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/stephen-fry/stephen-fry-open-letter-to-david-cameron_b_3718389.html?utm_hp_ref=uk&just_reloaded=1">An Open Letter to David Cameron and the IOC </a><br /><br />It's time to stand up to Putin and his hate. http://shayera.blogspot.com/2013/08/stephen-fry-is-right.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (shayera)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7816989.post-7486936273431455543Tue, 06 Aug 2013 15:26:00 +00002013-08-06T08:26:03.124-07:00Yoho is a dodo<a href="http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/gop-rep-id-back-birther-bill-even-though">GOP Rep: I’d Back Birther Bill, Even Though It’s A Distraction (AUDIO)</a><br /><br />I'm so utterly sick and tired of the disrespect shown to the President. This dumbass from Florida (naturally) is an embarrassment. http://shayera.blogspot.com/2013/08/yoho-is-dodo.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (shayera)0